By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – As Sierra Leone prepares to enter the global carbon market, residents across Freetown are voicing renewed hope for meaningful community development—linking environmental conservation with tangible local benefits.
This shift was evident on June 5, 2025, when the Freetown City Council hosted a lively community consultation at SJ Warbutton Hall in Congo Town. Organized under the ambitious “Freetown the Treetown Project,” the meeting brought together residents from various parts of Freetown-West to discuss how the carbon market could transform their neighborhoods and lives.
The initiative, rooted in Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, aims not only to reduce carbon emissions but also to spur economic and infrastructural growth in underserved communities.
During the forum, residents did not hold back in highlighting their priorities. From broken drainage systems and unpaved roads to the lack of clean drinking water, attendees made clear that the path to environmental sustainability must also address the basic needs of the people.
“I’m worried about the poor drainage in our area, especially during the rains,” said Kadiatu Turay from Kolleh Town. “We need help if we are to benefit from this initiative.”
Isata M. Bangura, a resident of Wilberforce Village, lamented the loss of trees planted through community efforts. “We planted them to help our environment, but many have been cut down. Now, the heat is unbearable,” she said.
Speaking at the event, the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Marketing Manager for the Freetown the Treetown Project emphasized the urgent need to protect the city’s green cover. “We’re losing too many trees in Freetown,” she warned. “This not only affects our climate but threatens our chances of registering successfully in the global carbon market.”
She called for an end to illegal logging and advocated for stronger environmental protection policies. But there was also optimism—she revealed that Sierra Leone’s entry into the carbon market could open doors for job creation in reforestation and conservation, particularly for youth and community members.
More importantly, she assured residents that any financial gains from carbon trading would be equitably distributed, directly benefiting local communities through improved services, employment, and climate resilience projects.
As Sierra Leone edges closer to its goal of joining the carbon market, forums like these are helping shape a people-centered climate strategy. The message from Freetown is clear: environmental protection and development must go hand in hand.
If done right, the country’s carbon market ambitions could do more than reduce emissions—they could empower communities, uplift livelihoods, and build a greener, more resilient Sierra Leone. SKS/10/6/2025
